We don’t need "help." We need support.

In Allegheny County, there are thousands of brilliant minds who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. They are natural problem solvers, resilient survivors, and community experts. They have the "hustle", but they are often locked out of the "flow" of economic opportunity.

Traditional banks won’t lend to them. Investors overlook them. And great ideas that could heal our neighborhoods die in notebooks.

We are changing that.

BreakIT Entrepreneurial Incubator is proud to launch the Justice Impact Challenge, an inaugural pitch competition designed to turn "lived experience" into leadership.

On March 13, 2026, finalists will stand on stage at the ACAR Reentry Summit and pitch their business and nonprofit ideas to a panel of community leaders.

We are raising funds to provide:

The Seed Capital: A $5,000 cash prize for the winner to launch their vision immediately.
The Incubation: A full year of trauma-informed business coaching, mentorship, and legal support through BreakIT.
The Platform: A chance for our community to see justice-impacted people not as "risks," but as the CEOs and changemakers they are.

Why This Matters This isn't charity. It is economic development. When a justice system-impacted person starts a business, they reduce recidivism, create jobs for others with similar backgrounds, and build generational wealth. They take agency over their own lives and solve problems the "system" has failed to fix.

Where Your Money Goes Every dollar raised here goes directly to the Prize Fund and the Incubation Costs for the winners.

$25 – Covers the cost of a domain name registration.
$50 – Covers business card printing and basic supplies.
$125 – Pays for a PA state LLC registration fee.
$250 – Funds a professional logo and marketing asset package.
$500 – Sponsors one month of intensive incubator coaching.
$1,000 – Directly contributes to the Seed Capital Prize Fund.

Join Us Your donation is a vote of confidence in someone who society has counted out. Help us prove that a past conviction does not determine future success.

BreakIT is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Justice Impact Challenge

Building Bridges to Second Chances

Team Members